Jonny Williams made his Crystal Palace debut at home to Coventry City in 2011, and has been regarded as an exciting prospect even longer.

But six years on, he has made only 50 league starts.

Many fans were frustrated when Williams was only a substitute at home to Queens Park Rangers last week, particularly given the leadership he showed by taking hold of the game as soon as he came on at half-time. His willingness to run with the ball resulted in Aiden McGeady’s equaliser.

Not that he is taking any satisfaction whatsoever from it, but what happened afterwards has vindicated manager Simon Grayson’s caution. Williams is a doubt for Saturday’s trip to Brentford.

“It’s probably been the story of his career so far,” Grayson admitted. “It’s been stop-start. He would like to have played a lot more.

“I know he dislocated his shoulder at Ipswich, but he just keeps getting a niggle here and there. That doesn’t help with my team selection because I want to play my most talented players, and players that I’ve brought to this club to affect the game.

“Jonny showed last week what a good player he is. Could I have started him for that game? Not really, because I felt that he wasn't in the right physical condition. That showed after the game when we found out he’d picked up a slight hamstring strain.”

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Brentford 3-3 Sunderland

Williams played all of his first three games for Sunderland, but has only played 118 minutes of football since for club and country. Including substitute appearances, he has made 127 in all competitions during a club career which has taken in loans at Ipswich Town, Nottingham Forest, Milton Keynes Dons and now Sunderland. He also has 18 caps for Wales, including playing in the semi-final of Euro 2016.

“I watched the QPR game again on Monday, and Jonny was the one that really made us tick,” commented Grayson. “He went looking for the ball, even from Steeley’s (Jason Steele’s) goal kicks where other players didn’t have that bravery. He wanted to take responsibility to get on the ball and make things happen. That’s the type of player that he is, and when we have him available, he’s a key player for us.”

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With a rash of defensive players missing the QPR game, Grayson found his selection options limited. He has been criticised for fielding players out of position – full-back Billy Jones was in central defence and central midfielder George Honeyman on the right wing against QPR, while right-footer Adam Matthews has been used at left-back – and it would appear it has struck a nerve.

“When I make decisions for the team, it’s done with the best interests of individuals and the team at heart,” he stressed. “It’s not because I want to put square pegs in round holes. I do it because I think I’m picking the right team for that game.”